Both California and federal law permit government agents to seize property and other assets of both individuals and businesses accused of criminal activity. In criminal cases that involve money or other assets, the government may use asset forfeitures as punishment for an alleged crime as well as a tool to reimburse the government for the crime.

If you or your business used a car, a truck, a boat or a plane in connection with an alleged drug trafficking crime, for example, law enforcement officials and prosecutors may seize your property even before your criminal case has gone to trial. Even if you or your business did not know about the alleged criminal activity, your property may be subject to seizure if a crime was committed that used your property in some way to further the crime.

In addition to drug cases, asset seizure and forfeiture laws may apply in many other criminal situations, including tax evasion, money laundering and forgery.

When the government applies the asset seizure and forfeiture laws against you or your business, they also my seek to seize your bank accounts, computers, business equipment, stocks, bonds and other assets on the ground that they were purchased or acquired illegally or with funds that derived from criminal activities.

When there are inadequate grounds for asset seizure, we identify those grounds to fight the seizure and return your property to you. If you house, apartment unit, commercial building or undeveloped land was used to manufacture or cultivate marijuana, methamphetamine or other drugs, for example, and you did not know about it, you may be able to protest the seizure of your property. If you can show that your assets were acquired with "clean" money or were not used to facilitate any crime, you may be able to get them back. Anchor Criminal Defense will challenge the government to vindicate your rights to get your property back.

If you or someone you know has had their assets seized, or if such seizure is threatened, call Anchor Criminal Defense for a free consultation.